A disciple...
To be honest, with Jack Hanma's template, Jaden had a very clear understanding of training.
In the Baki world, Baki had received the highest level of training since childhood. Jack Hanma, on the other hand, was a complete lunatic-someone who once trained for the equivalent of thirty hours a day for an ordinary person. He was familiar with nearly every conceivable training method. Later on, he even relied on drugs and drug-assisted training.
One could say that if Jaden wanted to, after conducting a simple assessment, the training knowledge he possessed would be more than enough to train another Julius-level monster.
If the disciple were male, then by simplifying and adjusting that system, he would indeed be fully qualified to teach someone.
But...
The person standing in front of him right now-Ogami Sakura-was different.
She was tall and slender, yet despite being only a middle school student, her physique was already remarkably well-developed. Long white hair fell naturally along her sides. Her expression was serious, her posture upright, and her presence carried the unmistakable aura of a martial artist.
Combined with the archaic first-person pronoun "Ware" (吾) she used-
She was a beautiful girl with a commanding, almost queen-like presence.
Jaden wasn't someone who froze at the sight of a woman.
In fact, if it weren't for the need to deal with Toyo Electric-and the understanding that helping Koyo was indirectly helping Erina-he would have rejected Akemi just as cleanly as he had rejected Shinomiya Kaguya.
If there was any personal motivation at all, it was only that he wanted someone to test his newly mastered Soru and Mach Punch on.
But...
Even among people with low emotional intelligence, or those who were confirmed bachelors, most still maintained a basic appreciation for beauty.
Training a girl like Ogami Sakura-
And turning her into someone covered in exaggerated muscles-
Hiss.
That image alone sent a chill down Jaden's spine.
The mental picture of Ogami Sakura with an overly muscular physique felt like defacing a famous painting.
Like committing a crime against art.
So after understanding her intentions, Jaden scratched his cheek.
"My training methods probably aren't suitable for you," he said. "Besides, look at my age. I'm not much older than you, and I didn't practice martial arts from childhood. I'm purely a talent-based fighter."
"I wouldn't be able to help you much."
Hearing his calm refusal, Ogami Sakura raised her head.
She stepped forward.
Closed the distance completely.
Then she stared straight into Jaden's eyes.
"That doesn't matter!" she said without hesitation. "All I need is for you to allow me to follow you, constantly observe your strength, and take you as the goal I pursue!"
"Master Jaden!"
Jaden immediately took a small step back, instinctively creating distance.
He inhaled.
Then forced his expression into something as serious as possible.
"Since a gentle refusal doesn't work," he said, "I'll be direct."
"Taking in a disciple is too troublesome."
"I also don't like having people follow me."
"So I refuse."
Jaden had no intention of taking a disciple.
Toward a beautiful girl like Ogami Sakura, he only held appreciation-and nothing more. He wasn't the type of light-novel protagonist who let people with no emotional connection cling to him out of indecision or misplaced kindness.
If a gentle refusal wasn't enough, then it needed to be stated clearly.
Firmly.
If this had been before he met Erina, he might have agreed without thinking.
But now-
Forget it.
Jaden felt that his refusal had been clear enough.
Even Akemi could hear the distance in his tone.
But Ogami Sakura merely lowered her gaze and fell into thought.
She didn't look hurt.
She didn't look disappointed.
After a moment, she nodded.
"So this is what they mean by 'martial arts cannot be easily passed on,'" she said seriously. "Indeed, if someone suddenly came to the Ogami Dojo asking to become a disciple, we would not normally agree either..."
She bowed deeply toward Jaden.
"I was presumptuous-"
She straightened again almost immediately, her eyes burning with resolve as she met his gaze.
"But I absolutely intend to achieve the title of the Strongest on Earth in a woman's body."
"So I will never give up!"
...Eh.
Jaden had always been bad at dealing with overly stubborn people.
He gave up on responding.
Instead, he shook his head, turned away, and looked toward Shion, who was walking over after finishing her discussion with Kiryu Setsuna.
"Chairwoman Soryuin," Jaden said, "I'll be relying on you for this Kengan match. Is it today, or...?"
"The opponent returned today," Shion replied. "They'll be back tomorrow afternoon."
She didn't wait for Jaden to respond before continuing.
"I've already prepared accommodations and had a chef arrange a meal. Since the match is tomorrow, don't push yourself too hard."
"We have plenty of space and empty rooms here. You should stay for the night."
"Mmm."
Jaden nodded.
He followed Shion away.
Akemi glanced at Ogami Sakura, who was still standing there, and reached out to comfort her.
But Ogami Sakura didn't look discouraged at all.
She was muttering to herself-
"I will never give up, Master Jaden..."
"These must be trials..."
After that, she politely greeted Akemi and turned to leave.
Watching this, Akemi couldn't help but sigh.
"Mr. Jaden is like this... and Ogami is like this too."
"Are all fighters this unique?"
Akemi had once been nothing more than a strict muscle enthusiast.
But now-
She was starting to feel a faint interest in fighting itself.
...
Temporary Residence of Nikaido Ren, User of the Heaven Wolf Fist
Nikaido Ren was on the phone.
He was reporting to Toyo Electric headquarters.
"Chairman," he said calmly, "the Koyo situation will be resolved in two more matches. However, I estimate that Shion will make desperate preparations for these final bouts."
"Can you win?" Hayami Katsumasa asked slowly from the other end.
"No problem," Nikaido Ren replied without hesitation.
"Mmm." Hayami Katsumasa let out a low hum. "If you can win, then increase the pressure on Koyo."
"It doesn't matter if you raise the stakes."
"I don't know how Totsuki discovered our current situation, but simple intimidation is no longer effective against them."
"Then, Chairman," Nikaido Ren asked, "do you need me to return?"
"No," Hayami Katsumasa said, smiling faintly.
"Totsuki is currently purging internal spies. That part was unexpected. But as long as I hold things down here, I can stall until the spy network detonates."
"Although your actions were exposed, Totsuki doesn't have the ability to influence you there."
"Since secrecy is no longer necessary, I will publicly announce your operation."
"I'll draw attention to your side."
"Let everyone witness Toyo Electric's strength."
And then-
"Nikaido," Hayami Katsumasa continued, "I'm granting you higher authority."
"You don't need to concern yourself with our TEP's scheme against the 'God's Tongue' for now."
"Just remember this."
"Your objective is to win the Kengan match."
"While demonstrating a fraction of Toyo Electric's power, you must also use that victory to forcibly pull Koyo into our ranks."
Nikaido Ren understood immediately.
After he won, all he needed to do was make a few vague but suggestive statements.
The other Kengan Association members would naturally assume that Koyo had already sided with Toyo Electric.
That way-
Two matches' worth of objectives could be achieved in a single blow.
And by doing it in the second-to-last match, Shion would have no chance to prepare a desperate counterattack in the final one.
-She would be completely caught off guard.
Nikaido Ren nodded.
"Don't worry," he said. "I've got this."
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